Fish'n'Chips, Fast Food, Galway

I was told that while in Galway I had to visit McDonaghs and I'm glad I did. The menu is filled with fried seafood and chips. The food wasn't as good as Leo Burdicks in Dublin but was a close second to the places I went to.

The line to order was long and it was very competetive trying to get a seat inside. If your visiting Galway give them a try.

Favorite Dish: The fish and chips of course. The fish was tasty and the chips were nice and cooked perfect.

Vying for the accolade of the best 'chipper' in Galway with nearby 'McDonaghs' on Quay St, my vote goes to the smaller scale 'Kettle of Fish' on Cross St. I went searching for a decent fish and chip shop and found McDonaghs first, as many tourists do. Unfortunately the place was very, very busy so I decided to go for a walk and find somewhere else. That's when I stumbled on the Kettle of Fish. There were only about 5 other diners there, probably due to the fact it is hidden down a back street. In truth, I had one of the best meals of my holiday there, reading the newspaper while scoffing fresh cod and chips! I'd definitely return on my next trip to Galway!

Favorite Dish: Cod and chips, of course! They do deep fried Mars bars too, although I wimped out of ordering one of those.

This place is a Galway institution.

It has a kind of double identity, as one side is a take away with wooden benches where you have to squash on with everyone else.

The other side is like a proper restaurant with a more extensive repertoire.

I would stick to the fast food side for atmosphere.

The place is decorated with a mish-mash of fishing stuff and clipping from mags / newspapers about the place.

Update : August 2004. recently shared an excellent meal with some guests from Boston.They seem quite amazed at the alcohol arrangements : unless you had wine, you had to walk next door to the Spanish arch hotel and take your drinks back from there - seemed sensible to me !

Favorite Dish: Cod and chips is the obvious choice and excellent, but it also a good chance to try out some more unusual fish that you don't see everyday in chippies (or chippers as the Irish call them)

Not the place for romantic meal but definitely good value in the breakfast department!

Favorite Dish: Sunday morming breakfast (actually they serve it all day for those of you that are really lazy!!!) - big fry (they do a really good veggie one too), orange juice, tea, coffee & plenty of toast/bread. Perfect for recovering from the night befoe!!!

Depending on what you choose the price is between €5 and €7 although you can get a breakfast roll with rasher, sausage & egg for €2.80.

Fat Freddys: Cheap, cheerful and eternally trendy pizza joint oozing with character. Nab yourself a window seat and watch the word go by. Not the best food in town, but certainly one of the best atmospheres.
McDonaghs: A fish and chip eatery and a Galway tradition. High-powered business execs sit beside crusty new age travelers (sorry, but its true!) scoffing the best fish and chips for miles.
Gemeles: Mid to high priced. Excellent food and service in relaxed surroundings.
The Oyster Rooms: In the Great Southern and in my opinion some of the best food in Galway with an amazingly reasonable wine list. Strange on both accounts for a large hotel.

Wonderful place! Packed with tourists, shoulder to shoulder! Great seafood and wine! An International crowd here! Hope I can return soon!

Favorite Dish: Any of the seafood selections are wonderful! Whatever you choose, enhance the flavor with a glass of white wine! Verrrry COZY bar.

McDonagh's has two sections, one for sit-down dinners with table service and a fast-food side. I stayed with the fast food, fish-and-chips side, and was not disappointed. You get a lot of fish for a relatively small price, and it's pretty good. I stuck to haddock or cod, though-- deep fried salmon just didn't appeal to me.

These are the best fish & chips in Galway. They fry the chips so well that they're as crunchy as bag chips with a soft inside. The decor is cute, they have newspaper and magazine clippings all over and a whole nautical theme going on in the dining room. The customers are a mix of ourists and locals with more tourists in the dining room.

Favorite Dish: fish and chips with vinegar. YUMMMMMMM!

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My 18 yr old son and I ate at McDonagh's while in Galway as it had been recommended to us. When talking to the locals, several people had asked if we had been there yet. The line up was long and both sides of the restaurant and patio were packed solid. A testament to the good food. We were more determined to wait in line and get ours. Service was fast. We both had the fish & chips (Cod) and it was REALLY good. The chips actually tasted like freshly cooked potatoes and were light and golden. You can tell the oil in the fryer is changed frequently rather than being over used and ruining the taste of the chips. Generous portions of fish and chips. The drink servings are small but they aren't overcharging for them at least. The tables could be cleaned a little faster to allow for other people to sit with their food but it did seem like there was only one person on that when we were there. Under ten euros and we had a great filling meal. Would eat here again!!

Favorite Dish: Fish and chips!!

McDonaghs was just okay, I had better fish and chips in many of the pubs that I ate at. I also found it annoying that I was charged for condiments, for ketchup. Pretty ridiculous. But the location is great and you can sit by the window and watch the crowds go by.